'Ink Master' has some educational qualities, if you know what to look for.
Generally speaking, tattoo TV shows don't do a great job of showing the reality of tattooing. They're centered more around drama and ratings than actual tattooing, and a lot of artists take issue with them for exactly that reason.
But for someone who doesn't know much of anything about tattoos, programs like Ink Master, Miami Ink and Tattoo Nightmares can teach a good amount about the art form. Sure, it's watered down with plenty of falsities and nonsense, but here are the Top 8 things you can learn from tattooing's reality TV shows.
All Tattoos Are Not Created Equal
As obvious as this one might sound, there are plenty of people who believe that one tattoo (and tattoo artist) is as good as the next. Regardless of what you think of the artists on TV, there are obvious differences in skill level between many of them. Typically, the tattooers found on shows like LA Ink or Miami Ink are going to be well-known and reputable artists. On the other hand, Ink Master would rather have cast members who won't get along rather than truly top notch artists a lot of the time.
